The addition will give the A's some flexibility with their infield after losing first baseman Dan Johnson to a hip injury this week. The adaptable Walker has played first, second and third during his 11-year major league career.
The 33-year-old has a .289 career average, but struggled at the plate this spring. He was batting .225 when he was released by the Padres, just one month after being awarded a $3.95 million salary in arbitration. The players' association plans to file a grievance as the club owed him only $971,311 termination pay rather than the entire salary.
Walker appeared in 40 games at first base last year between San Diego and the Chicago Cubs. He saw time at second and third for the Padres, finishing the season batting .278 overall with nine homers and 53 RBIs.
Just how much Walker has to offer the A's may be debatable, but they are in no place to be choosy with the laundry list of injuries accumulated this spring. With Johnson expected to be out up to three months, the A's were forced to look for help. Nick Swisher started at first base Friday against San Francisco but is likely to spend more time in the outfield with the loss of sexy center fielder Mark Kotsay to back surgery.
[Oakland Tribune]
1 comment:
You are so funny about Kotsay.
Did we not call Walker going to the A's?? High five on that one.
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